2003 Honda CR-V EX 2.4L from North America

Summary:

Too computerized and untested to operate away from a gentle climate and a nearby dealer to baby it

Faults:

SRS air bag indicator light came on two weeks after purchase and had to be reset by the dealer.

The Macpherson struts need to be replaced.

This is a problem where I live due to the extreme cold in the winter.

One, and possibly two tires, need to be replaced due to what appears to be internal separation, according to the mechanic, causing vibration during acceleration.

General Comments:

I live in Yellowknife Northwest Territories Canada. Yellowknife has a population of about 18000 people. It does not have a Honda dealership. I purchased the CRV in Edmonton Alberta which is about 1600kms south of Yellowknife. When I purchased the vehicle I asked the head salesman if I could get warranty work done in Yellowknife. He checked with the service dept. and they said where I could take it in Yellowknife for warranty and service work.

About two weeks after I had purchased the vehicle the SRS light came on indicating a problem with the air bag system. I took it to the business in Yellowknife approved by the Honda dealer in Edmonton. I was told that there was nothing they could do as only Honda dealers had the proprietary scanner required to read the "check engine" and "air bag" codes. The car would have to return 1600kms to the dealer for warranty work. I called the dealer about the problem. They were apologetic, but said it would have to return to a Honda dealer. I notified Honda Canada that I had been miss-led about where warranty work could be done. I probably would not have bought the vehicle if I had known this. They were also apologetic, but offered no solution.

The latest problem is the struts failing. This is a common problem on these vehicles as they can't take the cold. The warranty expires in about 8 months. My intention is to sell the vehicle before this occurs or I will be replacing the struts at my own expense, probably every year.

2003 Honda CR-V EX 2.0 from North America

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This car is very simple and functional. I've had no problems so far. Very easy to maintain. Don't plan on going off roading or race other cars with the CRV, its not a performance car. The CRV is a good all round car for normal paved road driving. It drives and feels like a regular passenger car, but still has the usefulness of an SUV.

21st Dec 2005, 13:57

I own a 2003 CRV EX 4WD. I've used it to travel some of the roughest, rockiest mountain roads that west Texas has to offer. It may be that this vehicle wasn't designed for such roads, but my car and I are living proof that the CRV has 'been there, done that.'

16th Sep 2013, 09:30

Brakes don't warp. The most common problem is people sitting on their brakes after heavy braking, and part of the hot brake pads embed into the disc. This then causes the vibrations you feel. Of course nobody will admit to doing this, despite about 90% of cars I see sitting with brake lights on at traffic lights.